Banstead Downs Golf Club’s Ross McGowan admits he is looking forward to defending his first title as a professional at the Madrid Masters this week.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Cheam, won his first European Tour crown by three shots in the Spanish capital in October - thanks largely to a third round 60.

The triumph came in the middle of a run of form that saw him finish third at the Omega European Masters and sixth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, before claiming second spot behind Lee Westwood at the season ending Dubai World Championships in December.

It means McGowan is well-placed to secure a spot in Europe’s Ryder Cup team - under captain Colin Montgomerie - for the biennial clash with the USA at Celtic Manor later this year, providing he can find a return to winning ways.

The former English Amateur Open champion is currently ranked 54th in the Race to Dubai, but is relishing his return to Madrid as defending champion.

Albeit at a different venue, as the tournament is being played at the Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club de Campo, rather than last year’s Centro Nacional de Golf.

“Last year I shot 60 on the Saturday, which gave me a seven shot lead in the final round,” he said “It was very strange going into Sunday knowing that everyone was expecting me to win, and it was mine to lose.

“It was nice to win by three and it seemed to kick-start my season as I prolonged that good form to come second at the Dubai World Championship.

“It will be great going back as defending champion. I won two titles on the Challenge Tour, but never got the chance to go back to defend them.

“It’s not the same course and this year’s is not one I’m familiar with, but I love Madrid and always enjoy going there. It’s a beautiful city with a lot going on.”

McGowan has not been in sparkling form this season, but warmed up for his title defence with a two over par tied-28th place finish at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday, taking his season’s prize money haul to £182,000.

Fellow Cheam resident Ross Fisher fared a little better as he finished tied tenth - with Justin Rose and Westwood - while former Hampton School student Paul Casey came in 17th.